The mid-handicap might be a quick way into becoming a lower handicap golfer any time soon. You may need to upgrade your golf driver to attain a lower score towards another milestone: becoming a low-handicapper.
But what is the best golf driver for mid handicappers ?
We tested ten leading drivers on the market to know the best golf driver for mid handicappers. Our tests proved TaylorMade SIM MAX Driver is the best overall golf driver for mid-handicappers.
You can try or test different brands and decide the best for you. You can test a driver before buying in a nearby golf shop or during golf demo days.
Our 10 Top Picks for Best Drivers for Mid Handicaps
Best overall golf driver for mid-handicap: TaylorMade SIM MAX Driver
Best budget golf driver: WILSON D9 Men Golf Driver
Best for single-digit handicap: TaylorMade SIM 2 Max Driver
Best in ball control & flight: Callaway Golf Mavrik 22 Driver
Best in distance for mid-handicaps: TaylorMade Stealth Plus+ Driver
Best for mid-to-low handicaps: Callaway Golf 2021 Epic Max LS Driver
Hottest golf driver for mid-handicaps: Callaway Golf 2022 Rogue ST Max Driver
Best for potential mid-handicappers: Cobra Golf 2020 Men SpeedZone Extreme Driver
Best for mid-handicapper with a slice: Cobra Golf 2022 LTDX Men Driver Gloss Pea coat-Red
Best in forgiveness for mid-handicaps: TaylorMade Stealth Driver
10 Best Golf Drivers for Mid Handicappers
1. TaylorMade SIM MAX Driver, Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 Shaft (Best Overall)
Everybody knows that TaylorMade is one of the leading names in golf. In 2020, many mid-handicap golfers commenced their journey into the golfing world using the TaylorMade SIM MAX Driver. Our tests show that the SIM MAX driver has more forgiveness than previous models.
Key Features
- The SIM Max has a bounce between 2 and 9 degrees.
- Its Revolutionary New Shape provides further distance due to enhanced ball speed.
- The sole is asymmetrically aerodynamic in design.
Who should use this product?
Mid-handicappers and more experienced players will appreciate the dynamic head designs of SIM Max. It provides better forgiveness, carry distance, and launch. Its carry distance is better than the previous SIM driver.
2. Callaway Golf Mavrik 22-Driver
The Mavrik 22 Driver by Callaway is way too techy for beginners and less experienced players. It is more appropriate for mid-handicappers wanting to improve further on their games.
The high-tech driver provides golfers with excellent ball control and flight. Although it is pricey, experienced golfers have a big chance of improving their performances in any situation.
Key Features
- It adopts the Flash Face technology for unprecedented ball speed.
- The driver adopts the Jailbreak Technology for sizeable energy transfer.
Who should use this product?
The 10.5-degree Mavrik 22 driver should be on every mid-handicap golfer seeking Callaway’s Jailbreak Technology. It is within the driver’s club head where anything could happen for more experienced players.
3. Cobra Golf 2020 Men Speedzone Extreme Driver Black-White
The Speedzone 2020 by Cobra Golf Driver makes our skilled tester busier than ever! The driver is a certified hit for mid-handicappers, especially those struggling with consistent shots. The Speedzone Extreme has a generous sweet spot giving players better consistency from the tee.
Key Features
- The CNC Milled Infinity Face of Speedzone magnifies speed.
- The grip is Lamkin Crossline Connect-Black.
- The shaft is UST Helium 4F2, a durable and lightweight material.
Who should use this product?
Mid-handicappers, who seek a long-lasting driver to accompany them toward more improvements, may consider the Cobra Speedzone Extreme Driver. The affordable cost is rare among drivers with high-tech features.
4. TaylorMade Stealth Driver
The TaylorMade Stealth Driver might be pricier than regular golf drivers, but it seems mid-handicaps highly appreciate its revolutionary features. The Stealth has a lightweight carbon wood face, instead of titanium, to calibrate ball launching precisely. You can assess your strikes just by listening to the sound of your shots.
Key Features
- The 60X Carbon Twist Face is a better alternative to titanium.
- The feel is unquestionably distinct from other drivers.
- It is shaped for speed with optimum launch and spin.
Who should use this product?
Senior mid-handicappers will find an ally on the Stealth Driver by Callaway. The innovative head design and lightweight features make senior golfers more adaptable to changing times. It is not an elaborate technology, just the advent of the carbon wood age.
5. Callaway Golf 2022 Rogue ST Max Driver
Few golfers will disagree that the Callaway Golf 2022 Rogue ST Max Driver is a compilation of previous Rogue technologies. That is what we found out during our tests.
One of these techniques is the A.I.-developed Jailbreak Speed Frame. However, the 2022 Rogue is much faster and more stable than older models. The 2022 ST Max Driver also offers more!
Key Features
- The club head is unitary construction titanium for stability.
- Its latest Tungsten Speed Cartridge is deep for high MOI.
- It has a sizeable sweet spot in improving forgiveness.
Who should use this product?
Mid-to-high handicappers get more from this driver. It has a large sweet spot than old-style Rogue drivers. The driver has one of the best combinations of distances and forgiveness, ideal for mid-handicappers.
6. Callaway Golf 2021 Epic Max LS Driver
The Epic Max LS Driver might not be familiar to beginners, but it is an evolution of the Jailbreak technology: A design creating vertical stability for the club head. The Epic driver carries the new Jailbreak Frame, which gives horizontal steadiness to the head. The result is a low spin, more forgiveness, and better ball speed.
Key Features
- It has the revolutionary A.I.-designed Jailbreak Speed Frame.
- The club head is a 460cc Titanium Flash Face.
- The black Tri-Axial Carbon Crown is lightweight.
Who should use this product?
Low-to-mid handicappers should try using the Callaway Epic Max LS driver if they struggle with uncontrollable spin. The Epic LS driver provides better spin with speed control for tee shots too far.
7. TaylorMade SIM 2 Max Driver Men Right Hand Graphite Stiff 10.5 Degree Ventus Blue
The cost might be deceiving, but not for TaylorMade, one of the most respected golf equipment manufacturers. Highly skilled golfers (like pros and mid-handicappers) benefit the most from using the Stiff TaylorMade SIM 2 Max Graphite Driver. It is one of the drivers that can give you longer and straight hits without the pressure of a heavy driver.
Key Features
- It carries the New Forged Ring Construction for a precise shape.
- The asymmetric Inertia Generator design enhances club head speed
- The innovative Split Mass Weighting provides sizeable forgiveness.
Who should use this product?
Pro and low-handicap golfers who want to maintain their skills using high-tech equipment should consider the SIM 2 Max driver. They can also continue more improvements with fewer mistakes with this driver.
8. WILSON D9 Men Golf Driver – 9/10.5/13 (Cheap Price)
Wilson makes other golfers more confident using high-tech equipment because the brand is more user-friendly. Unlike other techy premium drivers, the D9 is easier to hit. The club offers 10- and 3-gram weight options on the back of the club head for fine-tuning forgiveness and ball flight.
Key Features
- The Peak Kinetic Response (PKR) design features sectional fine-tuning.
- Its crown is 3-layer interwoven graphite for minimal vibration.
- It has maximized MOI for remarkable forgiveness.
Who should use this product?
Although the Wilson D9 golf driver suits many mid-handicappers, it is ideal for amateur players. The D9 is one of the most technologically advanced drivers offering optimum distance by Wilson. It has almost no vibration on impact.
9. TaylorMade Stealth Plus+ Driver
Are you a mid-handicapper ready to spend quite a sum for a more advanced yet performance-enhancing TaylorMade driver? Your guess is as good as mine! The Stealth Plus+ Driver by Callaway is one of the best decisions you can make pursuing your golf career.
The Stealth Plus+ is a carbon fiber face driver and part of the Stealth family of Carbon Wood Age technology by Callaway. Not a bad idea, indeed!
Key Features
- The Stealth has a sliding-sole weight for a preferred shot.
- The shaft is Mitsubishi Kaili in Stiff & Extra Stiff flexes.
- Its 60X Carbon Twist Face tweaks launch optimizing distance.
Who should use this product?
Mid-handicappers wanting more distance in huge golf courses may consider the Stealth Plus+ driver. Our tests proved it adds at least 12 yards from the tee. Your yardage may depend on your swing speed, though. That is a lot for skilled golfers seeking improvement in their performances.
10. Cobra Golf 2022 LTDX Men Driver Gloss Pea coat-Red
The 2022 LTDX is the longest total distance driver by Cobra. It has a low spin but with fast speeds and is one of the most sizeable sweet spots. Hence, it delivers maximum forgiveness compared to other Cobra drivers.
One of the top Tour pros carrying the Cobra 2022 LTDX driver is Bryson DeChambeau.
Key Features
- The driver has zero CG with 5200 MOI that resists twisting.
- One of the easiest-to-hit drivers for mid-handicaps.
Who should use this product?
Golfers aspiring to be mid-handicapper should start using the Cobra Golf 2022 LTDX Men Driver. It is one of the drivers delivering the longest total distance.
Best Golf Drivers for Mid Handicappers – Buying Guide
1. Distance
All golfers want distance, especially from the tee. To achieve the maximum distance for your skill, you ought to have a combination of the club head and ball speeds. Drivers with a low CG (center of gravity) but with a high MOI (moment of inertia), give you a further distance.
2. Forgiveness
Mid-handicappers struggling with miss-hits should consider a driver with extreme forgiveness. Also, golfers with varying swing speeds may find an ally from a modern driver with a sizeable sweet spot. The high MOI of a driver also contributes to amplifying its forgiveness.
3. Looks
Sometimes, looks might be deceiving. But many golfers are inspired by the appearance and aesthetics of their drivers in enhancing performance. If you are one of these types of players, a good-looking driver might help.
4. Feel
The shot feel is sometimes unnoticed by many golfers: But you should know that the feel of your driver coincides with your distance after impact. The feel of the driver must be balanced upon impacting the golf ball; it should be neither too light nor too heavy.
5. Ensure the driver is Adjustable!
Not all modern drivers are adjustable. But you can reap too many benefits if they are! An adjustable driver can make shape shots and not just straight ones. It is beneficial for golfers wanting to curve their strikes for several reasons.
Adjustable drivers are not only ideal for mid-handicappers, beginners, and less experienced golfers. Newbies initially have no idea what loft suits them: a movable golf club gives hints.
6. Head Size
A large club head for a driver delivers the longest potential distance depending on your swing speed. It provides a large amount of energy to the golf ball upon impact.
The USGA limits the volume of a driver’s head to 460cc: If you want to maximize your distance, a driver with this club head volume is a good choice.
7. Face Type and Face Technology
The face of a club head is the spot where the golf ball impacts during a shot. You may consider high-tech drivers with this kind of club faces, although they cost steeply. The innovative face technologies (like the Callaway SIM Max Twist Face) ensure forgiveness, high launch, and other benefits.
8. Loft and Shaft
Mid-handicap golfers should pick a driver with a loft between 9 and 13-degree. Fast swingers may choose the 9-degree loft, while those with an average swing speed; have an edge using a 10-degree driver. We recommend the 12-13-degree driver for slow-swing speed golfers.
* How to pick the right shaft for you
The ideal shaft flex for mid-handicaps is stiff or regular. A stiff shaft is for players swinging between 90 and 100mph, while the regular flex is more suitable for 80-90mph swing speeds.
9. Price
The modern drivers come in various price ranges depending on brands (like Callaway, TaylorMade, Cobra, Wilson, etc.). They are pretty expensive nowadays. Many tight-budget golfers may not afford a 3-digit-priced driver. But unlike irons, which you may buy in sets: drivers are usually individually sold.
There are still affordable drivers with prices ranging from a few hundred bucks, like some featured above. Some may cost you less than $150 each, which is already cheap in the modern golfing world.
FAQ’s
One of the easiest-to-hit drivers is Callaway Golf 2022 Rogue ST Max Driver. Its sizeable sweet spot and higher MOI enable mid-handicappers to hit the club: with ease and precision.
Many mid-handicap golfers have swing speeds ranging from 80 to 90mph. Their handicap is between 11 and 20. Mid-handicappers can deliver an average distance between 200 and 240 yards from the tee.
Also, mid-handicaps usually shoot in the 80s. In comparison: a low-handicap player shoots below 80, while high-handicappers shoot above 90.
Custom-fitting your driver is a good idea but not mandatory. Many mid-handicappers stop growing, unlike junior players. However, if some of your skills are changing, like your swing speed, you probably need custom-fitting.
The Callaway Golf 2021 Epic Max LS Driver is also ideal for an average golfer, not just for mid-to-low handicappers. The precise feel, with low spin and neutral ball flight of Epic, fits an average golfer.
A beginner driver always leans towards 11, 12, or 13-degree lofts. On the contrary, a mid-handicap driver comes with a loft between 9 and 10.5 degrees.
The 9-degree TaylorMade SIM MAX Driver is a perfect choice for mid-handicappers. I like how it boosts distances: the brand-new Inertia Generator amplifies MOI and the titanium face that generates straight shots.
An average golfer may have a handicap of 16 (for male golfers) and 28 (for females). We highly recommend the Cobra Golf 2020 Men SpeedZone Extreme Driver for average golfers vying for a mid-handicap status.
Conclusion
We are still figuring out why Wilson D9 Golf Driver is one of the cheapest drivers among premium brands. Anyways, mid-handicappers on a tight budget may consider the D9 driver. Wilson’s PKRF feature enhances the speed with the excellent length of a hit.
But our top pick for the best golf driver for mid-handicappers is none-other-than the TaylorMade SIM MAX Driver.
The SIM Max delivers the distance you need with consistent workability, launch, and sound. The 2-degree loft adjustability helps golfers attain launch angles and spin rates. We never have difficulty grasping the driver’s innovative features during our tests.
Matt Stevens is the founder of Golfrough.com. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf since he was four years old. Having experienced every high and low golf has to offer, his writing helps the average golfer avoid the mistakes he has made in 28-years on the course.